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Monday, November 10, 2014

Gift Ideas for Encouraging Nature Study

I don't know about your kids, but my boys love anything related to nature study and outdoor adventures, and I'm always looking for new tools and ideas to keep this love alive. When looking for gift ideas, I try to look for both educational and entertaining, and I also want to consider their natural learning styles. My boys love hands-on and interactive, but I wanted to come up with some gift ideas that take all interests (reading, art, etc) into consideration, so here are a variety of ideas that will hopefully ignite an interest in nature study, or continue to fuel their passion!

This book is a collection of ideas for prompting observation, study and journaling of everyday things that we might overlook or take for granted. You can write in the book, but you can also access the journal pages for free on the website.

This isn't just a gardening book with plants to grow and harvest. There are ideas for nesting boxes, a grass-head man and other creative projects to pique an interest in gardening and nature. Great for the hands-on learner!

Canon PowerShot ELPH135 Digital Camera
If your kiddo is mature enough, consider a digital camera to allow them to begin some nature photography. Fun for hikes, camping or regular nature study! Taking pictures is a great way to capture items that are too large to be collected or that won't sit still (birds, squirrels, etc) to sketch into a nature journal.

Nature Journal Supplies
You can start with a Sketch Pad and Colored Pencils and other simple supplies, but nature journals are a great way to encourage your kids to really notice details, and maybe improve their artistic skills as well. This is also a great way to kids who may not be as enthusiastic about the outdoors to to appreciate nature more, particularly if they love art.

Books
Finally, some ideas for bookworms of varying ages! Books cannot replace nature study, but a good living book can teach a few facts and even inspire some outdoor adventures!

Memberships
Memberships make a great family gift that lasts all year long, and if you have some great indoor facilities nearby, they can be a nice way to study nature even during harsh winters. Just take your nature journal supplies and have fun! A few ideas:AquariumZooAviaryNature Center or Wildlife PreserveBotanical GardensPlanetariumNatural History Museum

The Schoolhouse Review Crew has compiled a variety of gift guides, so if you need some inspiration, be sure to check them out!

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